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Average Rating0Answer By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox : When seeking your first credit card, start by comparison shopping for the best deals available and keep three things in mind: how you will use the card, the fees and rates charged, and the potential benefits you can get from the credit card. CardRatings.com is an excellent resource for you to compare the available offers for [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox : Even if your car hasn't yet been repossessed, I assume you've missed some car payments. Whether or not that is the case, you have a few good choices. Secured credit card If your credit history already reflects late or missed car payments and you want to build your credit back up, a secured credit card is likely [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Joe Taylor Jr. : Landing in the ChexSystems database, whether it's your fault or not, can add a few hassles to your financial life. Many banks, even those that issue secured credit cards, require you to have an active checking account to facilitate your security deposit and your regular monthly payment. You've probably heard of the three major American credit [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Joe Taylor Jr. : The recession rebooted many Americans' household budgets, and banks have trotted out balance transfer offers to ride the sudden wave of frugality. The right balance transfer credit card for your budget should offer a combination of value, convenience and customer service. Even though many economists keep waving at the recession in their rear view mirrors, consumers [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Joe Taylor Jr. : Q: My daughter is a junior in college and is going abroad. I want her to have a credit card. Should I just get an extra card in her name on my account or should I explore getting her her own? A: That really depends on what you want your daughter to experience during her trip, [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Joe Taylor Jr. : Even after the years I've spent reporting personal finance stories, I can't get my contacts at American Express to give up the secret recipe that makes one application more appealing than another. I'd probably have better luck trying to channel Colonel Sanders on a Ouija board and getting him to spell out what really goes [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Joe Taylor Jr. : As you've probably already noticed from looking at your credit card application, federal rules require lenders to approve or deny your new account based on your ability to repay your debt. Under regulations imposed by the Credit CARD Act, banks must ask about your individual income, not your household income. What you answer on your [...] Read More
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Average Rating0Answer By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox : Repaying a student loan means you do have some credit, but getting a credit card is also a good idea if you are looking to either improve your credit score or better establish your credit rating. According to Fair Isaac, the company that created the FICO credit score, 10 percent of your credit score is based [...] Read More
